NUTRACEUTICALS
Nutraceuticals are dietary supplements which are specifically designed to nutritionally support certain illnesses, improve metabolic processes, or correct biochemical imbalances. They are also used in an attempt to legally enhance performance in working animals.
They are not manufactured as a pharmaceutical (drug) and are not subjected to, or controlled by, the same constraints as drugs. They are naturally occurring substances and fall into a similar class to vitamins.
Nutraceuticals are widely used in the horse industry and now more commonly in use in humans, dogs and cats. Probably the most widely recognised nutraceutical is the Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulphate joint supplement.
GLUCOSAMINE & CHONDROITIN JOINT SUPPLEMENT
This supplement is used to relieve the symptoms and help in the healing of degenerative joint disease (DJD) or osteoarthritis.
Where two bones meet a joint is formed, and the ends of the bones are covered in a slippery material called Articular cartilage which protects the bony surfaces of the joints from friction during movement. Articular cartilage is one of the first tissues to age and die and has very poor powers of regeneration.
Articular cartilage is made up of chondrocytes, collagen, proteoglycans and water. Proteoglycans are complex biochemicals made of proteins connected to backbones of oligosaccharides, on which hang many molecules of chondroitin sulphate. Chondroitin sulphate neutralises the destructive enzymes which are present in any joint undergoing degeneration. Glucosamine provides the building blocks necessary for specialist chondrocyte cells to repair damaged and worn out cartilage. Glucosamine is synthesised in the body through a biochemical reaction utilising glucose. In a normal healthy animal (or human) the body is able to synthesise enough glucosamine to keep cartilage healthy. But, through trauma, age or excessive wear and tear the chondrocytes just cannot keep pace with repairing damaged cartilage.
Glucosamine alone is not as efficient in the treatment of arthritis as when it is combined with chondroitin sulphate. An injectable form of these substances is available, and injecting into a joint or intramuscular gives faster results initially, however there is no significant difference in recovery between injection and oral supplementation after 30 days.
Because they are naturally occurring substances, there are virtually no known side effects. There have been cases of vomiting and diarrhoea, (but very rarely) reported in dogs. This is usually in dogs with sensitive stomachs, and is generally rectified when the dose is lowered to allow the animal to get used to it before gradually building up to the recommended dose.
It is a long term treatment and the animal (or human) must stay on a maintenance dose for the rest of its life in order to keep reaping the benefits. A small price to pay for pain-free freedom of movement.
For more info – see our post about glucosamine or information about the top selling supplement for arthritis.